Trainer Shaun Dwyer admits Villa Verde is carrying a little extra weight but is confident the filly is on the right track towards the Golden Slipper.
Villa Verde, winner of two races in the spring, was given a work-out by race jockey Michael at Sunday’s Bendigo meeting a day after being replaced as Slipper favourite by Rosehill winner Overreach.
Villa Verde winning the Ottowa Stakes at Flemington - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia (Steven Dowden)
The Gai Waterhouse-trained Overreach finished second to Villa Verde when the pair made their debuts in the Debutants Stakes in October.
Villa Verde won another race in November while Overreach returned to Sydney for a spell before her return in the Widden Stakes.
Rodd said Villa Verde felt fantastic but admitted he was surprised with how much she had grown.
“She looked fantastic and felt fantastic,” Rodd told TVN.
“She has a tummy on her but there’s plenty of time to the Slipper.”
Kuroshio finished third in the Debutants and won the Blue Diamond Preview which Dwyer said augured well for his filly.
“The spring form is certainly holding up,” Dwyer said.
“Overreach and Kuroshio couldn’t have been more impressive.
“I hope it stands up for our filly when she comes back.
“She’s certainly put on weight but she comes to hand very quickly.”
Dwyer said Villa Verde would have two jump-outs before travelling to Sydney for the Reisling Stakes on March 23.
He said the filly worked three times a week at Bendigo in right-handed direction so he had no concerns about her handling the Sydney way of going.
TAB promoted Overreach to $5 for the Golden Slipper on April 6 after her Widden win with Villa Verde at $8 and Saturday’s Blue Diamond Stakes favourite Guelph at $9.
